'I wouldn’t swap him for anything and I'm confident he can improve again' – trainer quotes for the King George

In a race in which Irish- and French-trained runners account for all but four of the 11-strong line-up, the home defence is not lacking, with Grey Dawning bidding to turn his runner-up effort in the Betfair Chase into King George glory. 

While defeat to Royale Pagaille after being sent off favourite at Haydock last month may have at first felt disappointing, trainer Dan Skelton was quick to point out the merits of his performance on a first try against seasoned chasers.

Last year's winner of the now-defunct Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival was having his first outing of the season and is entitled to improve for what was officially the best performance of his career.

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Skelton said: "He's in very good form and has worked nicely going into this. I've been amazed how well he came out of the Betfair Chase and we've been really happy with him. 

"Haydock was his first run out of novice company and he improved – the handicapper said by 8lb – which is quite an assessment on that ground. I just think he's really good and wouldn’t swap him for anything. I'm confident he can improve again."

'If he can put in the performance he did last year, we’ve got a great chance'

The memory of last year's imperious win in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase has trumped any doubts surrounding Il Est Francais's recent form among the betting public, and joint-trainer Noel George has maintained the faith in his athletic six-year-old. 

A burst blood vessel has emerged as the reason for Il Est Francais being pulled up in the Prix la Haye Jousselin last month, an issue which also derailed his prep race before the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in the spring. 

"We’ve got the green light since his last piece of work, he worked very well and I’m looking forward to bringing him back to Kempton," said George. "We’re hoping that if he can put in the performance he did last year at Kempton, and he seems in the same form, we’ve got a great chance.

Can Il Est Francais bounce back?Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"I think the main thing is we don’t want to work against him. If he wants to bowl along and wing his fences, we’ll let him do that. I think if he gets in the rhythm he did last year, it will be tough to lay up with him."

George and joint-trainer Amanda Zetterholm are also represented by General En Chef, who heads to Kempton off the back of a fourth-placed effort in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.

"I think he’s going to run a massive race," said George. "I’ve never had him as good as he is. In his first run over British fences he was fourth in the Coral Gold Cup when he probably got there a little bit too soon."  

'The step up in trip will definitely suit and he won't be found wanting for speed'

Jimmy Mangan has had to wait a long time between dining at racing's top table, but the 2003 Grand National-winning trainer has thus far shown a sure touch with the strapping Spillane's Tower, who benefited from a progressive step up in trip last season after finding Blood Destiny too sharp for him over two miles.

Opting to give Spillane's Tower more time to mature, connections skipped Cheltenham, a decision which paid full dividends when he denied Monty's Star to land the Grade 1 novice over 3m1f at the Punchestown festival. 

If that were a cause for celebration, Spillane Tower's comeback performance when just denied by Fact To File in the John Durkan Chase back at 2m4f carried arguably even more promise, and a return to three miles looks sure to suit.

Mangan said: "Hopefully Kempton suits him. He won’t be found wanting for speed. I think the step back up in trip will definitely suit and we’ll walk the course beforehand to ensure there’s no firm patches. The plan is to take part."

'Good to soft ground would be okay but there's no rain forecast'

Corbetts Cross may have won the weakest of the Graded novice chases at last season's Cheltenham Festival, but the manner in which he dismissed Embassy Gardens in the National Hunt Chase suggested he is much more than just a high-class plodder. 

Emmet Mullins then sent him to Aintree for his first Grade 1 assignment over fences, choosing to test the water against the best in open company, and he found only Gerri Colombe and Ahoy Senor too strong in the Bowl.

A pipe-opener at Wexford was designed to set up a potential tilt at the Betfair Chase, but Mullins and owner JP McManus ultimately chose to wait for Kempton where the quickening conditions are the trainer's only concern.

Corbetts Cross: concerns over the groundCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

"We’d provisionally thought about the Betfair Chase, but going into a Grade 1 you have to be 100 per cent, and even with the Wexford run it didn’t bring us on enough," said Mullins. "The extra few weeks was a help and I think we’re nearly there now."

Reflecting on his run at Aintree, Mullins added: "We were very happy on the day. I felt the gloss had probably gone off him a bit from the run at Cheltenham. I think it was a very good run.

"Good to soft ground would be okay, but it’s tightening up already and there’s no rain in the forecast. That would be a worry and it looks like it’s going the opposite way."

'His price is massive considering he's been first and second before'

Bravemansgame bids to join an illustrious roll of honour of horses to regain their King George VI Chase title, and Paul Nicholls is adamant his star is overpriced as he returns to his happiest hunting ground.

The nine-year-old has failed to win since his heroics in this two years ago and had seemed to be a shadow of his former self in an underwhelming return in the Charlie Hall Chase. However, he showed some sparks of a revival when third in the Betfair Chase last time.

Nicholls' great Kauto Star in 2011 was the last horse to regain his crown in Kempton's showpiece, and the race's winningmost trainer is confident of another bold showing from Bravemansgame, who also won the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on this card three years ago.

"He's a big each-way horse at the price he is. In a lot of ways his price is massive considering he's been first and second in two runnings," Nicholls said. 

"The most important thing is the ground is coming right for him. I haven't discussed tactics with Harry yet, but they'll go a good gallop and he's keen to get a little bit of daylight and ride him handy."

Read more . . . 

2024 King George VI Chase runners, tips and ratings: David Jennings' pinstickers guide   

It's a very modern King George, and here is why you should go against the story   

Willie Mullins hoping fitness edge and mares' allowance can be decisive for Lossiemouth in big Constitution Hill clash   

'He'd be my best chance yet' - Ben Jones eyeing Grade 1 breakthrough on The Jukebox Man in Kauto Star Novices' Chase   

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